Hush Little Baby [Hardcover]

Sylvia Long (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1997 | Age Range: 1 and up

Hush little baby, don't say a word,
Mama's going to show you a hummingbird.
If that hummingbird should fly,
Mama's going to show you the evening sky.
From award-winning artist Sylvia Long comes a touching version of the well-known lullaby, Hush Little Baby. Each spread reveals a tender scene as a mama bunny lulls her baby bunny to sleep by enlisting a parade of bedtime wonders—the beauty of a hummingbird in flight; the magic of a harvest moon; the reassurance of a parent's hug, all these and more combine to create a classic volume sure to be treasured for generations to come.

Product Details

• Age Range: 1 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; FIRST edition. edition (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811814165
• ISBN-13: 978-0811814164
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.5 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Rabbits

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Hush little baby, don't say a word,
Mama's going to show you a hummingbird.
If that hummingbird should fly,
Mama's going to show you the evening sky."

Sylvia Long's award-winning (Child Magazine's Best of 1997) ode to mother-child love takes a favorite lullaby and makes it--is it possible?--even better. Troubled by the buy-buy-buy mentality of the original ("Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird/diamond ring/a dog named Rover..."), Long adapts the song to her--and our--liking. Mama now shows her baby the comforting wonders of the world: crickets, shooting stars, warm bedspreads. Long's gorgeous ink and watercolor paintings are reminiscent of Clement Hurd's illustrations in Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon. And now, with this gift set, fans of this sweet lullaby can have a "little baby" bunny all their own, along with a small board book edition of their sing-along favorite! The unbelievably soft plush rabbit rattle is curved into a shape and size just right for tiny hands. Wrap the cuddly pajama-clad bunny around a crib railing so your baby can always reach it. What a perfect gift for the new mother or mother-to-be! (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Ages 3-6 "Bothered" by what she sees as the materialism of the original song, Long has reworked a familiar lullabye: "Hush Little Baby, don't say a word, / Mama's going to show you a hummingbird." While her retelling stands on its own, it's the artwork that shines here. Long's beautiful ink-and-watercolor paintings are richly colored and realistically detailed. The right page of the spread focuses on the tender and loving relationship between Mama and her baby bunny. Surrounded by borders that resemble quilt stitches, the left side of the spread features a smaller picture that either highlights denizens of the natural world--a cricket, a lightning bug, a harvest moon--or the objects found in the child's cozy bedroom. A lovely book. Julie Corsaro

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 1 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; FIRST edition. edition (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811814165
• ISBN-13: 978-0811814164
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.5 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (76 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #60 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Rabbits

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This bedtime story book holds Mom's attention too! March 30, 2000

By Christy Bonham

Format:Hardcover

This is one of our top ten bedtime stories for our preschool children. It is the discovery of beauty and love as a mother guides her child on a bedtime trek from the porch, to the rocking chair, to the bed. It is a warm and sensitive version of the "mockingbird" Hush Little Baby lullaby. My children don't ask me for a mockingbird, a diamond ring, looking glass, etc. and so that original version seems outdated. Hooray for Sylvia Long...this book reflects a new time and a new generation of parents. She has done an excellent job in creating a book that shows a mother's love and the security of having many options at your fingertips that enrich your life (or in this book make you drift off in contented sleep). Younger children enjoy having a book read to them time after time (moreso than the parents enjoy the reading of it). It seems that with Hush Little Baby I find new details in the artwork each reading and even I havn't tired of it yet. Every page is warm and cozy and filled with nature or cuddles or quilts or bears..all things little children can relate to. I love the individual stitching around the illustrations - a different one each time you turn the page. A negative noteworthy comment (made by three of my children)is that at times the bunnys' ears are very short and seem catlike. Overall I would say this is a must in a childrens' home library!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story/song March 30, 2000

By "qpk"

Format:Hardcover

"Hush Little Baby" is a wonderful story/song. My three year-old daughter and I love to sing it together at night. The pictures are colorful and realistic with a lot of attention to detail. My daughter knows the story/song better than me! This would make a wonderful baby/birthday gift for children from birth and up.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An ageless lullaby May 14, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

While many of the wonders of this book are quite obvious upon first reading, it is what occurs after numerous readings that is so rewarding. No longer is it we, our two year old's mother and father reading to her, it is she, our child, reading to us. She points out the various characters, identifies them by name, asks us if we see what she sees, and ultimately, rests her head on her pillow humming words from this wonderful book that should become a staple in every house.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for moms-to-be, new moms and single moms June 24, 2000

By Carol Frost Vercollone

Format:Hardcover

I love how this mother teaches her child to love the world and everyday activities. And the book makes bedtime a good thing, always a plus for moms! Whether you're reading or singing Long's words, you can tap into the peace and beauty of life - helps when you're even more tired than your toddler! The illustrations are whimsical and chosing a rabbit family helps the story have more universal appeal.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly darling and endearing...Sure to become a family favorite! November 4, 2005

By Wabi Sabi

Format:Board book

I happened upon this book nearly 7 years ago and it instantly became a favorite of mine and also for each of my sons. The verse is full of nature's wonder and instills a sense of appreciation of our world's unique gifts. Reading this book has given me a forum to emphasize the value of non-material experiences for my children; a very refreshing and rare treasure to add to your bookshelves.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars a BEAUTIFUL BOOK December 17, 1997

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This is a wonderful book. I don't know which is more beautiful--the text or the words. My one-year-old and three-year-old just love this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Wonderful! October 31, 2000

By "[e-mail]"

Format:Hardcover

Hush Little Baby has been a well read book in our house for years. Each page brings a different surprise in the illustrations.

This book has become astandard shower or new baby gift for friends. Everyone that has recieved it has commented to me how much they enjoy it! I highly recommend it!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hand-Me-Down for generations to come! August 28, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

My own mother gave me this book when I was just 8 months pregnant with my daughter. We read it to my growing stomach and then to my bautiful baby after she is born. It is such a lovely book to read or sing and it teaches even the youngest child that love of the natural world is far more important and fulfilling than love of the material.